The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-09-22
THEORY AND FACTS!
How Halleck Fought Hood from
Washington, and How Thomas
Fought Hood Face to Face
Or Rather Face to
Back

There is perhaps no observer of the
events Of the great Civil War-or, as
Alex Stephens would say, "The War
Between the States" who would rob a
West Pointer Of single laurel, or
place single stain upon the shield so
bravely carried from the field by many
West Pointer at the close of the
war. But it is a sadly remembered
fact that the earlier months of
the war were months of jealous
rivalry, and intrigue, on the part of
many officers. The West Pointer had
one especially valuable trait-that Of
self-reliance aud confidence. What a
West Pointer did not know, was not,
in his estimation, worth knowing by
anybody. He fought his battles on
paper, and if the forces Of the enemy
failed to move, and fight, and get
whipped, as it was marked on the pa
per he should do, Of course it was the
enemy's fault, and ought not to sub
ject the strategist to criticism. Amid
all this tendency, which amounted to a
rule among West Pointers, it was re-
freshing, it seemed glorious, to behold
such grand military character as
that Of George H. Thomas. The
writer, as a soldier of sixteen years
and upward, was with Pap" Thomas
for long time, and had a good op-
portunity for studying his character.
A grand character it was-as brave as
lion in the presence of the enemy,
as gentle as the most tender parent
in camp. Perhaps one Of the saddest
moments in the life Of the great SOL
dier was that in which doubts of his
military skill were implied by Gems.
Grant and Halleck, in connection
with Hoods movement in Nashville.
Halleck, notably, at Washington, was
pushing Hood, helter-skelter, destroy
ing his forces, and mopping the
ground with the Confederacy. Thom-
as, at Nashville, was facing as brave,
desperate, determined, veteran soldiers
as ever fired shot or uttered yell.
As sufficient for our present pur-
pose we copy from the records two
official dispatches, one from Halleck,
the other Thomas reply:
"WAsH1NGToN, Dec. 21st, 1864
12 M. :
major General George H. Thomas:
Permit me, General, to urge the
vast Importance of hot pursuit of
Hoods army. Every possible sacrifice
should be made, and your men for a
few days will submit to any hardships
and privations to accomplish the great
result. IF you can capture and destroy
Hoods army. Gen. Sherman can en-
tirely crush out he couldn't do it with
more than double Thomas forces, in
Summer campaign, the Rebel mill
tary force in all the Southern States.
He begins a new campaign about the
first Of January, which will have the
most important results if Hoods army
can now be used up. A most vigor-
Gus pursuit on your part is therefore
of vital Importance to Gen. Sherman's S
plans. No sacrifice must be spared to
obtain so important result.
Signed H. W. HALLEcK,
Maj. Gen. and Chief of Staff. "
REPLY OF THOMAS
'IN THE FIELD, Dec. 21st, 1864.
Maj. Gen. Halleck, Washington, D. c.:
"Your dispatch Of - m, this day,
is received. Gen. Hoods army is be-
ing pursued as rapidly and as vigor-
ously as it is possible for one army to
pursue another. We cannot control
the elements, and you must remember
that, to resist Hoods advance into
Tennessee, | had to organize and al
most thorouuhlv eouip the force now